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Houseplants and Indoor Air Quality

Houseplants can be the source of cleaner air, but they can
also be the exact opposite.

There are two main concerns with indoor plants, insects, and
VOC’s.

Insects? Yes. Any houseplant that does not thrive will
eventually get infested with insects, especially mealy bugs,
aphids, whiteflies, scale, or spider mites. All of these insects
can quickly explode in numbers and can present a serious allergy
problem. Insects shed old skin and other parts and this insect
dander is very allergenic.

Insects also produce large amounts of feces, called “honeydew,”
and on this rich organic material mold quickly grows. The mold
then produces reproductive mold spores, and these spores become
airborne inside the house. Mold spores are of course quite
allergenic.

The answer to insects is to keep them healthy. First we should
only use houseplants that are well adapted to actually growing
inside the house. These plants should get the kind of light they
need. Plants that do not get the light they need will get buggy.
We must also see to it that our houseplants are well fertilized.
Lack of fertilizer will eventually result in a plant that is
weak and that will then be attacked by insect pests. I like
time-release fertilizers for all houseplants. In addition to
time-release fertilizers I also like to use some water-soluble
fertilizers too, at least once a month.

Houseplants should be kept clean too. Often dust will land and
stick on the leaves and unless they are washed clean on a
regular basis, houseplants can be regular dust piles. It is
always a good idea to wipe down the leaves of houseplants with
some clean water and a sponge. It is a good idea to add a tiny
bit of dish soap to the water when you wipe them down, a
teaspoon to a gallon. Use lukewarm water. The soap will help
make the leaves cleaner, and it discourages insects.

If you find insects on a houseplant, take it outside, put it in
the shade, and spray it thoroughly with a mix of dish soap and
vegetable oil. Use several tablespoons of each to a gallon of
warm water. Spray the plants, soak them every day for a week and
if this doesn’t get rid of the bugs, then consider dumping them.
If the plants are valuable or you just can’t bear to part with
them, add some neem oil to the above insecticide mix and spray
them with this several times.

Sometimes to kill scale on a plant I will pour some vegetable
oil in a cup and then just brush it on the scale with a small
paintbrush. In very few cases does the oil damage the leaves of
the plants, and it will smother the scale. This also will work
with mealy bugs.

Do not bring buggy plants back into the house!

Even after you get rid of the pests on the plant, before you
return it to your house you need to ask why was it that it got
buggy in the first place? Is the light too weak? Is the air in
the house too dry for it? Have you been neglecting to feed it
enough? Has it been kept too dry? Too wet? Is it too cold
inside? Too hot? Whatever the answer, you’ll need to change
something in order to get it to thrive.

Make a habit of looking over the leaves and stems of all your
houseplants on a regular basis. Look on the stems for scale.
Look under the leaves for other insect or mite pests. Spider
mites thrive in hot weather. Whiteflies thrive in cool weather.
One of the best ways to control spider mites is to frequently
wash down the plants.

Dander from spider mites is especially allergenic and any plant
that continues to get infested with mites ought to be tossed.

VOC’s and houseplants?

All plants release volatile organic compounds into the air.
Often these are described as “biogenic emissions.” Some plants
release only a small amount and consume much more than they
release. The ones to worry about are the plants that release
more than they consume. Chiefs among the plant-produced VOC
pollutants are carbon monoxide and ozone. Both of these are
primary elements of smog. They’re not something you would want
in your house. Other VOC gases often of allergy concern inside
houses (but not necessarily produced by plants) are
formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, ammonia, acetone, methyl
alcohol, ethyl acetate, and trichlorethylene.

Ficus trees. Ficus enjoy a good rating in the OPALS scale
because they release so little airborne pollen. Unfortunately,
Ficus, and especially the common houseplant tree, Ficus
benjamina, they are high emitters of VOC’s. Does this mean we
should not use Ficus benjamina as a houseplant?

Yes, that’s exactly what it means. At any rate, these often
fail to thrive in houses since most household light is too weak
for them and most household air is too dry. They will often be
infested with spider mites or other insects and these will just
add to the VOC problem. VOC’s are not good for people with
allergies and will aggravate existing allergies. Actually, VOC’s
are not good for anyone.

Which plants are VOC consumers?

Some years ago NASA scientists discovered that certain plants
can remove volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) from the air. The
gases studied included formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene,
ammonia, acetone, methyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and
trichlorethylene. The plants listed below are said to be quite
effective at removing indoor pollutants. Please keep in mind
though that they must be growing healthy and they must be kept
bug free in order to work. : Dracaena, Golden Pothos, Red
Emerald Philodendron, Dumb Cane, Schefflera, Wax Begonia, Snake
Plant, Norfolk Island Pine, Dracaena, Dendrobium and
Phalaenopsis orchids, Spider Plant, Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium),
Dwarf Banana (Musa), and Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) Also
recommended for cleaning indoor air were Rhapis, Chamaedorea and
Phoenix Palms, but it is important to note here that only female
palms should be used. You don’t need extra palm pollen in the
house. In addition, also recommended for cleaning indoor air
were potted chrysanthemums and Gerbera Daisy, but I do NOT
recommend these as houseplants. They have high light
requirements and will not thrive in most houses, and they can
cause contact skin rash. Their pollen (they’re ragweed
relatives) is highly allergenic. Better to keep the mums and
Gerbera daisies outside.

Also NASA recommended as an effective air cleaner plants was
Peace Lily, or Spathe Flower, but I do NOT recommend these as
houseplants either. They also can cause skin rash and when in
bloom they too shed pollen that is allergenic.

It is always a good idea to let houseplants dry out a little bit
between watering. This gives the roots a chance to get more air
and it also discourages the growth of molds in the soil. When
you do water houseplants it is wise to soak them thoroughly
rather than give them just a little bit of water each time.
Always use water that is luke- warm, at least at room
temperature.

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Here we have a great series of videos showcasing an indoor closet Cannabis grow. alturl.com I really like this indoor Cannabis grow closet. I actually based my indoor Cannabis grow closet off of the one in these videos. A few details on the Cannabis plants growing in this video: The Cannabis plants growing here are 16 weeks old from the start + 8 weeks into flowering, and they are a purple indica strain of Cannabis. I hope that through watching these videos you all learn as much as I did about building an indoor Cannabis grow room and growing indoor Cannabis when I watched them.

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This prototype system was not very good at growing plants. Check out the blog sweetpotatopromethus.blogspot.com to find out how I got really nice roots with the “Intensive Care Unit.” This is a homemade Aeroponic indoor garden which I am attempting to grow sweet potatoes with. These are Sweet potato cuttings that are a couple of days old. If you would like to see what happens to the plants and system, come to the blog about it. http

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fucaria,islike the century plant ,witch is the agave cactus,the fucaria plant will flower a long stalk up to thirty ft,unlike the cetury plant ,the fucaria will flower every year and is not hard thorns.the century ,agave,flowers periodicly but may flower in so many years ,not 100,conditions have to be right,modt agaves grow anywere in wet damp weather and desert,peace

If you are a garden lover, but have limited space for your gardening needs, don’t despair gardening shouldn’t be necessarily out of your reach. In the spare space of your flat say balcony, patio, deck, or sunny window, you can create an indoor container garden, which will not only bring you pleasure but also herbs. So, are you ready to start indoor container gardening yourself…

A long time ago, gardening was an exclusive realm of the yard owner. These days even the flat dweller can plant his dream garden without having much problems. One’s dream can be accomplished by container gardening, which means the gardening in a special container. This type of gardening gives you the joy of landscaping without weekly mowing. In the container, you can raise some perennials, annuals, and even shrubs and small trees.

Don’t think container gardening can be achieved very easily? Then its best that you stop reading this article as you will have to do a little work. Container gardening requires adequate planning just like that of traditional gardening. Planning entails of researching information on the different plants, amount of daylight you are getting in your apartment, and also choosing your beloved plant variety.

It is usually advisable to purchase the plants from your nearest nursery unless you have the right conditions to go for indoor seedlings. You shouldn’t keep the tender plants of container gardening outside below a temperature of around 45° F or in strong winds.

There is a misleading belief that all plants grow in the ground and cannot survive in a container. This is incorrect. Also, any container with holes for drainage can be used for your container gardening. 

There are numerous pot growing vegetables varieties for container gardening. Providing sunlight and water can easily help you get succulent veggies for your ratatouille or salad. You can even get more satisfaction by serving these varieties nurtured by your own hands to your beloved friends.

Don’t worry if you do not have a balcony or deck. Get nod from your landlord for window boxes, a newer type of container for this type of gardening. It is highly possible to grow a variety of bloomy annuals year-round and indoor vegetables by your sunny window. There is another type of garden called community gardens, which will satisfy the city dwellers.

There is no reason to end your container gardening because you have entered autumn. You can continue your container gardening by planting the plants that are resistant to the cold. The common plant types that can survive the frost are Eulalia grasses, Mexican feather grass, Cornflowers, Lavender cottons, Jasmine, Million bells, Stonecrops, etc.,

In order to extend the life of your garden from late spring to early fall; you can replant to suite the conditions. You can also have healthy plants during winter if you have an indoor container garden!

Indoor gardening with bulbs gives us the opportunity to have spring color and fragrances in the middle of winter. There are two types of bulbs for indoor gardening, or any type of gardening, and they are ones that need to be chilled first and the ones that do not need to be chilled.  

This is a good time to talk about the ones we need not chill. These particular bulbs are warmer climate natives and are generally the paperwhite narcissus bulbs and the amaryllis bulbs. Both these bulbs have the capacity of growing with or without potting soil. Growing with soil is self explanatory but without soil is another matter. They can be grown in a shallow container that is filled with pebbles or marbles and this is mainly for holding the bulb. Then all you need to do is add water. If you want to keep the stems sturdy and short start out by putting the container in indirect light and the temperature at about 50 degrees F. for the beginning few weeks. Little by little raise the temperature and put them in a brighter light. You should place enough water in the container to cover about 1/3 of the bulb.  

The amaryllis bulb produces one of the most beautiful flowers to be grown as a houseplant. These flowers are large and their shape is very similar to a trumpet with very attractive colors such as pink, peach, white, and bright reds. Some of them even have striped petals. These flowers can have the resemblence of being foreign but are easy to grow.  

When purchasing amaryllis bulbs make sure they are plump and of good size and have some roots attached. The potting container needs to be half-again as wide and you need to use a sterile potting mix and with the potting mix the top 1/3 of the bulb needs to be exposed. This ensures that when water is added to the container it does not seep down the neck of the bulb. The soil should not be kept wet but moist and above 64 degrees F.  

Place these bulbs that are planted in soil in bright light. Once a couple of weeks have passed you should be able to see some flower buds. You also need to have room in the container to insert a support stake for the stem will get very tall. Turning the container on a regular basis will prevent the stalk from leaning in one direction. You will need to stake the plant once the flower opens up because it will become very top-heavy.  

Paperwhite narcissus bulbs should be bought by the dozen or so; this way you can plant them every three weeks or so through February. You should place the extra bulbs in a dry cool place until it is time to plant them. Paperwhites are very easy to grow indoors with or without soil. Their clusters of white flowers have a very pleasant fragrance.

Planting paperwhites is very easy to do without soil. They will grow with marbles or medium sized pebbles in a shallow container, or in a tall vase with large pebbles or rocks, and of course they can be grown in soil. They look better if you crowd them together in a container. A shallow covering of rocks, marbles, pebbles, or soil needs to place in your container. Place the bulbs on top of the medium and then proceed to cover the bulbs with the same until only the bulb tips are exposed.  

Water the plant until it comes to the base of the bulbs; the planting medium keeps the bulbs at the right level of moisture. Now you can place the container of bulbs in a sunny location and remember to give it water occasionally. If your bulbs were planted in early fall you most likely waited a while before they bloomed. If you plant more near New Year they will bloom in a shorter time span. The paperwhite flower buds keep on developing even if they have not been planted. These flowers also need to be staked because the stems get very tall and like the amaryllis will get top-heavy when blooming.

When you think of a beautiful fountain, you likely think of a large garden, a park, or a hotel lobby. While fountains have for many years been confined to outdoor spaces and large indoor areas, smaller indoor fountains are rapidly growing in popularity. As eastern principles such as Feng Shui become more popular and people grow to understand the benefits of relaxing sounds, the indoor fountain is becoming much more desirable. For people with health problems or allergies, these fountains also act as natural humidifiers, helping to alleviate many common symptoms. Simply put, there are many reasons to implement a fountain in your home.

While the biggest reason that people acquire indoor fountains is certainly their aesthetic appeal, there is simply no denying that these items also offer great benefit. In addition to offering health benefits by providing moisture to the air, indoor water fountains also help houseplants to thrive. This humidity is also good for the skin, especially during the dry winter months. People with difficulty sleeping or anxiety problems will also find that the soothing sound of constant water motion helps to alleviate these problems as well. To put it simply, fountains offer numerous benefits to the mind, body, and soul, making them excellent investments for any household.

Fountains can be purchased in a number of designs and for numerous price ranges. A fountain can be purchased for less than fifty dollars or for thousands of dollars, depending on the budget and wishes of the person making the purchase. There are numerous types of indoor fountains as well, from those that hang on the wall or sit atop a pedestal to those that can be easily placed on a nightstand or table. Your fountain can be designed to go wherever you would like it, making it a very versatile purchase.

There are thousands of designs to choose from when purchasing a fountain. Classical designs are always popular, and Asian inspired fountains such as Zen fountains are highly relaxing. Indoor water fountains can be made of stone, ceramic, glass, resin, or metal, as well as many other materials. Caring for fountains is also easy, as simple cleaning and water changing is virtually all that is required. Using distilled water or algae prevention chemicals makes maintenance even easier.

When you decide that your home is in need of a splash of new décor, an indoor fountain is an excellent idea. These fountains are very aesthetically pleasing and can match any décor. When coupled with a myriad of health and mind benefits, it is certainly easy to see why so many people are choosing to purchase them.

Having an indoor herb garden is really a wise choice, it requires no greater than normal attention compare to a regular garden of plants and best benefit is that it can help economically this period of financial down turn.

Initial thing you need to know is that your herb garden has to be in a sunny place, due to the fact that herbs and other food gardens such as veggie does not usually thrive in a chilly weather. Remember that your herb garden may be a way to obtain food and for that reason needs to looked after as such. A majority of these crops endure in favorable temperature.

Second thing is that it’s encouraged that a indoor herb garden ought to be solely that. Which means not planting it as part any other type of garden. It is strongly suggested that you plant your herb garden using a different bed. Well maybe you can plant then around flowers to make them look prettier but except for that reason, it’s not advised to grow it around other plants that is unless of course if space and room is an concern.

Third, you need to keep in mind that herbs don’t need much fertilizing, matter of fact its not advised. Rather, use compost, they make great fertilizer. Retain a high PH level in your soil, and have a great time growing your herbs indoor, absolutely helps when it’s cool outdoors. These kinds of plants like soggy soil therefore keep your soil moisturized and since you probably will be growing it in a container in case you are doing it indoor, you will want to be mindful that the plant does not get too large for its container so as not to ever stop its growth.

Skillful herb gardeners can tell you how rewarding it can be to own one. No need to run to the store if you need herbs such as thyme, and so forth; because it’s right there. So give it a try.

Here we have a great series of videos showcasing an indoor closet Cannabis grow. alturl.com I really like this indoor Cannabis grow closet. I actually based my indoor Cannabis grow closet off of the one in these videos. A few details on the Cannabis plants growing in this video: The Cannabis plants growing here are 26 days old, and they are a purple indica strain of Cannabis. I hope that through watching these videos you all learn as much as I did about building an indoor Cannabis grow room and growing indoor Cannabis when I watched them.

Following garden girl indoor hydroponic system, I am able to make my own design based on a top down system. This indoor hydroponic system can be implemented cheaply and easily. Go to my blog at sgenergycrisis.com for more images & videos!

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